Accutane Hair Loss
Accutane hair loss is controversial and by no means clear cut.
According to the National Institute of Health, the incidence
of accutane hair loss has not been determined. Still, lawyers pursuing
class action
lawsuits against Roche Pharmaceuticals, the maker of accutane,
list permanent hair loss as one of the drug’s many side effects.
What is accutane?
Accutane (generic name isotretinoin) is a drug used in
the treatment of severe acne. Dermatologists prescribe
the drug, which is taken orally, when all other acne
medications fail. Accutane’s links to birth defects
and mental illness have made it the subject of FDA
investigation. Until now, the severity of accutane’s
other side effects has overshadowed its connection
to hair loss. You can learn more about the FDA’s
Medication Guide on accutane at the FDA website.
Accutane hair loss sufferers speak out
Accutane hair loss sufferers, both male and female, tend
to be in their teens and early twenties. Speaking on
medical message boards, some accutane users report
hair loss within the first few days of treatment and
others only after treatment ended. Many complain of
ongoing hair loss, months, and even years later. While
dermatologists tend to attribute this hair loss to
other factors, accutane users insist that the drug
has caused their deeply distressing hair loss problems.
Addressing the problem of accutane hair loss
While some accutane hair loss sufferers claim to have
re-grown their hair eventually, others say they have
not. If you have accutane-related hair loss, consult
a dermatologist or aesthetic plastic surgeon experienced
in the treatment of drug-related hair loss. The American
Academy of Dermatology or the American Society for
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery can help you find a doctor
in your area.
